Nearly one-third of recent U.S. military veterans have considered committing suicide, according to a new survey

Fully 80 per cent of a major veterans group's members said the federal government doesn't provide enough help to mentally ill vets

An astonishing survey from a veterans group found that 30 per cent of recent military vets have considered committing suicide since returning from active duty.

The Iraq Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) surveyed more than 4,000 of its members, 37 per cent of whom said they personally knew a recent vet who took his or her own life. Overall, 45 per cent reported knowing a fellow soldier, sailor, airman or Marine who has tried to commit suicide.

The former active-duty ranked suicide as the most important issue facing Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.

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Fully 63 per cent - nearly two-thirds - said they have veteran friends whom they believe need medical help dealing with a mental health issue brought on by combat. And more than half polled in the surveyadmitted that someone close to them has suggested that they need mental health care.

Ken
Wahl, a former Hollywood actor and star of the 1980s hit TV show
'Wiseguy,' told MailOnline that he's not surprised at the numbers.

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'To me, as an American, this is the
most vitally important issue of our time. How can this country's leaders
treat its defenders so poorly?' Wahl asked. 'Without them, there is no
America.'

'Convicted felons and illegal immigrants are treated better and with greater regard than our military heroes.

Suffering in silence: Post-traumatic stress disorder and other psychiatric conditions contribute to a military suicide rate that far outstrips the rest of the U.S. population

Veterans who take their own lives are buried with full military honors, but family members are left in denial, or wondering why no one - including the Pentagon and the VA - did more to help

In the IAVA survey, 80 per cent of the group's members said the VA and the Pentagon don't provide sufficient care for veterans who need mental health treatment.

Wahl said Veterans Administration leaders bear the blame for failing to take better care of the men and women who fight overseas.

Ken Wahl, an actor whose career disintegrated following severe injuries in the 1980s, now advocates for military issues, focusing especially on the plight of veterans who often feel they're facing their demons alone

'This neglect of our country's bravest
brothers and sisters is nothing less than a national disgrace, as well
as a national tragedy,' he said in an email.

'Troop and Veteran suicide is the symptom.
Appalling mistreatment of them is the disease. This shameful, despicable
treatment of our troops and veterans MUST be remedied. Immediately.'

Wahl has been the subject of
speculation that he might run for Congress in Arizona next year, with
most prognosticators pointing to his advocacy for Veterans as his key
issue.

'If I were to do it, one of the reasons would be to go against this antiquated two-party system.,' he told MailOnline in April.

'Now, I don't think that I would win,' he conceded. 'Maybe I'd wake up a few people.'

The IAVA told Yahoo News that
it 'works closely with the Veteran Crisis Line to ensure that every
service member, veteran, family member and provider knows that there is
free and confidential help available 24 hours a day through phone, text
and online.'

'Veterans, or
those concerned about veterans, can call 800-273-8255 and press 1 to be
directly connected to qualified responders.'